Nachum Stregevsky wrote this letter after learning that Ruth Stregevsky, his paternal bubbe (grandmother), had only a few days to live. The letter was read at Ruth’s funeral by Nachum’s father, Paul Stregevsky.

Ruth and Nachum in Nachum's Baltimore home, circa 1989.

Dear Bubbe,

You’ve always been such a big part of my life, and will always continue to be so. When I picture you in my mind, I think only of love: love for people, love for family, love for life. You always felt that it was your responsibility to make everyone who you knew or saw happy, and you were truly the best at doing so.

I have always looked at and admired you as being “the perfect Bubbe,” and have always felt it to be a special privilege to be your grandson.

You allowed for me to grow up feeling that as if I was the center of the world, and as I got older I realized that you gave that feeling to everyone else, as well.

I can still remember how we cried together at Zaide’s funeral, and feel that I want only to cry with you again now that you have left me, although this time you are not able to be with me, and I will have to cry alone.…

But Bubbe, even though you cannot be here for me now, I know that all you would’ve wanted to tell me at this moment is just not to be sad, as your goal in life was only to make people happy.

My dearest Bubbe, I love you so much, and will never stop loving you. The feeling of love that you gave me throughout your life was so important to me, and I can always feel it inside me, even at times when you can no longer be with me.…